I did admire that his sterne words were such, And yet forgaue his fact, and gaue command That none amongst my friends with violent touch On him should after lay offensiue hand: And that he might not in their danger stand, I gaue him twentie crownes to beare him thence, From those that seem’d to threaten his offence. 91. Thus with my chiefest foe my peace I made, And when I sensiblie felt nature’s waste, To friends about me such like words I said: Quoth I: “Come neere, and since all hope is past Of longer life, whose line long cannot last, Attend my words, and witnesse after death, What in my will I to the world bequeath. 92. To _Iohn_ my brother I resigne my crowne: _Arthur_ is French and rebell to the state: Seeke not with wilfull hands to hasten downe What I haue built by future time’s debate: Factions will grow, and I foresee the fate, The wofull fate that England will betide When I am gone, that did enrich her pride. 93. Not long thy king, deare England, can I be, Death’s cold begins into my heart to creepe, No more thy fame can be aduanc’d by me: To _Iohn_ the prince I tender thee to keepe, When I with death haue laid me downe to sleepe:” Thus death when I ten yeares had been a king, T’vntimely end my life and reigne did bring. 94. My deeds I did atchieue with much vnrest, Death with blacke period did my deare life close, In prime of age approuing heau’ns behest, Which seldome doth allot long life to those That to their parents proue rebellious foes: Of which that I may testimony giue, Let _Cœur de Lion_ in remembrance liue. THE VNFORTVNATE _Life and Death of King Iohn_. THE ARGUMENT.